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Monthly Archives: June 2017

Leadership qualities are something that you want your child to have. It is always better to be a leader than a follower and by learning leadership skills early on in life, your child will be able to succeed in high school, college and into their career. But how do you learn leadership skills? What can you do to ensure your child knows how to be a leader in the community?

Programs for Leadership

At Zodiac Day Camp, programs are offered to teach your child leadership skills, and so much more. With L.E.A.D. & C.I.T, children ages 12.5 to 15.5 have the opportunity to work with individuals who hold leadership roles in order to learn via workshops and training sessions.

Experts in areas of effective discipline, teaching techniques, child development and more will be on hand to help your child learn how to be a leader. From these classes and workshops, your child will be able to apprentice or participate in specialty areas or camper groups at Zodiac. This opportunity is a great way for kids to learn how to be leaders, and get their foot in the door for future employment opportunities at Zodiac and beyond.

L.E.A.D. Program

With this program, children have the ability to participate in a half day which includes taking part in age appropriate camp activities that include group building skills. Seminars and group activities take place during camp with peers of L.E.A.D. as each child learns how to work together with others. A half-day placement is included within this program for the older child to be partnered with a younger group of campers. This opportunity allows them to learn the process of camp counsellor from a seasoned veteran and sets the child up for the C.I.T. program.

The C.I.T. Program

This program is for children ages 13.5 to 15.5 who have finished Grade 8 or 9, or if they have completed the L.E.A.D. program. This program places the teens in a cabin or specialty area in which they can put their leadership knowledge to work. Seminars, training in specific areas and group activities take place with peers of C.I.T. in order to prepare the teens to become staff members during the next summer season.

These are just a few ways your older child can be introduced to leadership skills and learn how to operate in a camp environment as a leader and counselor. Such classes help the teen to build self-confidence and feel qualified to work as a counselor and help the younger campers in a positive manner. Teens can use the skills they learned and apply them in everyday life including school and at college, well into their adulthood.

At Zodiac Day Camp, we want to help train the next leaders of the world. Contact our office today to find out more about our leadership programs and find out how to enroll your child. You will be surprised at the many options available for your teen and how leadership programs can change them.

Childhood obesity is a major problem in our current society. With snacks and treats so easily accessible and schedules so busy, children are not often given the best foods to eat or get a great deal of exercise. It is important as parents to help our children stay healthy and active. With summer day camp, you provide an outlet for your child to exercise while still having fun. Summer camp activities will keep your child moving, which helps them stay in shape and live long and healthy lifestyles.

Staying Active

Summer day camp is all about staying active. Your child needs to move in order to burn calories and stay fit. With a full schedule of activities, your child will be able to keep their body moving, working their muscles, all the while having fun. To your child, they will be enjoying themselves and not focusing on the actual exercise part of the activity. This is a great way to keep your child active. At camp, a number of activities are offered, such as sports and swimming. By taking part in these activities, your child may find a new hobby which will keep them busy throughout the year. With regular exercise, your child will live a healthier lifestyle, feeling better physically as well as gaining self-confidence.

Pack Healthy Meals

During day camp, lunch time will take place and if the camp provides the food, then a nutritious meal will be offered. However, if you are packing your child’s lunch, be sure to offer healthy options. Fruit, veggies and lean meats are good choices. Since your child will be exercising and burning calories, you want to feed them items that will continue on the health trend. Putting sugary treats in their lunch will only slow them down. Fresh fruits and veggies gives them the energy they need to keep playing sports and having fun.

Encourage Your Child to Try New Things

When going to camp, your child may encounter a new sport that seems too hard or too exhausting to play. Encourage your child to try the sport anyway. Explain that while it may seem hard at first, they should keep trying. They might end up having a great time and find a new sport to enjoy at home and throughout the year. Always encourage your child to try new things. Explain that without trying, they will miss out on a great number of things throughout their lifetime. It is better to try and find out that you don’t like something, than to never have tried at all.

Overall, you will find that summer camp helps your child stay active in a fun way. At Zodiac Day Camp, we offer a number of programs to keep your child on the move and having fun. Contact our office today to find out what options are offered for your child based on age group, as well as activity or program type. We guarantee you will find something for your child to enjoy!

Summer day camp is an excellent way for kids to have fun during the summer months. Once the excitement of being out of school for the summer wears off, kids quickly look for something to occupy their time. With summer camp in Toronto, your kids can stay busy and have fun, especially when sports are involved. Sports are a great way for kids to stay active, make friends and just have a good time. Read on to see why sports summer camp is so much fun!

Competition

Nothing gets the blood pumping more than a little friendly competition. With sports camp, kids are able to compete while playing a variety of sports including basketball and baseball. It can be quite thrilling to take on the best players at camp and win the game! Kids learn how to build self-confidence during competition as well as how to be a good sport, both of which are beneficial going into adulthood.

Making Friends

Sports camp puts kids in groups with other children who have similar interests. If a camp focuses on basketball, then your child can meet other kids who like to play the game as well. Fast friendships can form and your child may bond with some lifelong friends due to their common love of sports.

Exercise

For most kids, they feel better moving and running around. With sports camp, kids are constantly on the go, moving from one sport to the next. With this exercise option, your kids will stay fit while still having fun.

Tournaments

Many camps will offer tournaments for each sport which makes the day at camp even more fun. Once the sports have been mastered, teams can compete in games, with kids cheering on their friends as they try to make it to the final round of the competition.

Simple Fun

Kids love sports. There is no doubt about that. Children who love to take part in activities are guaranteed to have fun at sports camp. Day camp will offer a variety of sports including swimming, basketball, baseball, etc. Kids can spend their day playing and learning new skills. They can then come home and share with you what they have learned. You may be surprised to find that your child excels in a particular sport and goes on to play in high school and even college!

When your child enjoys playing sports, consider enrolling them in a sports day camp. They will have fun, make friends and be able to exercise away from school.

At Zodiac Day Camp, we offer a wide range of summer programs including sports camp. Your child can enroll in our sports camp and enjoy learning skills in a variety of sports. Learn more about our camp options by contacting our office. Enroll your child and provide them with an outlet for entertainment during the summer months that they are sure to enjoy. We look forward to assisting you and your child with summer camp opportunities.

When it comes to private swimming lessons, most parents have no idea that options are offered that include backyard learning. Many parents think that swimming lessons must take place in a facility, however, that is not the case. Instructors will offer private lessons in their own home. They may even offer to come to your home if you have a swimming pool, in order to help your child learn how to swim.

Benefits of Backyard Swimming Lessons

There are many benefits associated with backyard swimming lessons. To begin, your child will receive one on one training. This means that your child will learn how to swim at their own pace and have the undivided attention of the instructor. In a group learning environment, many children can fall behind as the instructor must provide attention to each child, instead of one individual. With backyard swimming lessons, your child is able to focus on skills and learning at their own pace, which can lead to better training and overall understanding of each technique.

Backyard swimming lessons are also convenient. When it comes to lessons at a facility, you have to enroll your child for a set time frame and attend classes at a particular time. It can be difficult to meet these requirements and you have to travel to the lesson as well. With backyard swimming lessons, instructors operate on their own time. Because of this, sometimes you have more flexibility to schedule lessons so they meet your scheduling needs.

Overall, your child will be introduced to swimming techniques based on their age and current skill level. Children are able to learn at their own pace and do not feel pressured to move on to the next skill until they master what they are currently working on. In a class setting, children often feel they must move on to the next skill, even if they do not feel fully comfortable with what they have been working on. With individual lessons, the child will be able to work at their own pace and move on when they are ready. This type of learning leads to better mastering swimming skills and self confidence within your child.

If you are considering enrolling your child in swim classes, think about backyard swimming lessons. This may be an option that works better for you as it offers more leniency when it comes to scheduling and one on one learning.

At Zodiac Swim School, backyard swim lessons are available during the summer months via the director’s pool. The benefits of this option include, being able to pay as you go and not being locked into a schedule. Parents are free to schedule lessons around their work times. This convenience is a major reason why parents opt to enroll their kids into the backyard swimming program.

To learn more, contact our office today and inquire about the backyard swimming lessons. Help your child learn at their own pace by scheduling this one on one educational opportunity.

When most parents think about summer programs for kids, they feel that programs are created more for smaller children, like toddlers. However, there are camp options for older children to have fun when out of school for the summer. Summer camps in Toronto offer programming that cater to what older children enjoy, from sports to arts and crafts. When your child is out of school for the summer, they need something to do. Children are often looking for ways to spend their time, as they are used to scheduled activities. By enrolling in summer day camp, your child can stay busy, have fun and make new friends.

Unique Programming

For toddler and smaller day camp, the programs are more geared towards giving parents a few hours of alone time. Kids enjoy activities and play but for older children, the summer day camps are programmed more to offer specialty areas. Take for example the options offered by Zodiac Day Camp. From Creative Kidz to Mega Sports, your child will have the ability to enroll in a program that suits their individual tastes.

Creative programs like the Creative Kidz offered by Zodiac provides a variety of artistic activities. Your child will be able to use their imagination to unleash their creativity with a number of mediums including paint, print making, sculpture and more. Additional programming include exploring the world via science and discovery, sports-oriented programs, adventure options and more.

These types of programs are open to children ages 6.5 to 12.5, which gives this age group plenty to enjoy. Kids will love having activities to take part in during the summer months and the opportunity to make new friends in the process.

Leadership Programs

For older children in their teens, programming is offered to help establish leadership in the community. Leadership programs are open to kids ages 12.5 to 15.5. They offer workshops and training sessions to see your child learn from leadership coordinators and experts in child development, effective discipline and other areas. Your child can learn from these experts and have the ability to apprentice as well as participate as a camp counselor once training is complete.

Overall, it is important to keep your child busy so they can use up their energy during the summer months. Kids need to stay active and with camp options and classes offered by Zodiac Day Camp, they will be able to stay busy, having fun and making friends along the way. Contact our office today to find out what options we have that will cater to your child’s age group as well as activities they enjoy. Once enrolled, your child will be introduced to new activities and truly enjoy their summer off from school.

From the infant stage, children have the ability to learn quickly. As parents, we want to provide our children with as much education as possible so our kids can thrive as adults. With private swimming lessons, small children have the ability to become accustomed to the water, learning how to stay safe from a very young age. Toronto swim school options are open to children from infant to toddler and beyond, allowing you to introduce your child to swimming lessons early on. You may be surprised to find just how your toddler can benefit from swim lessons at this early age.

During the younger age classes, parents join in so that the child feels comfortable in the water. Your youngster will be introduced to the aquatic environment and begin to explore the water, learning more about water safety. With individual classes, your toddler will be able to develop swim skills at their own pace and the instructor will know when to introduce new skills.

During class time, kids will also be grouped with others their own age which can help to learn the movements and skills being taught. Children often learn best by watching others. With a tot swim class, play and songs are used to teach particular swim skills. Interactive circle time makes swimming fun and the young child learns basic skills of swimming which come in handy for water safety. You will feel more at ease when your toddler is in the water once they have started to learn basic swimming skills.

Toddlers will learn various ways to move in the water along with hand-eye coordination. Songs such as the ‘Wheels on the Bus’ and ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ are incorporated into the skills taught in order for kids to learn quickly and have fun at the same time. Breath control, floats, jumps, roll-overs and more are just a short list of what is learned during toddler swim class.

Because your child has taken classes at an early age, they can continue with classes as they get older. Skills can be enhanced and the child can use swimming as a sport to enjoy or simply be even safer in the water. You can rest easy on vacation or simple summer outings as you know that your child can handle themselves in the water. A parent’s greatest fear is that something will happen to their child. By giving your child the gift of swimming lessons, you can rest easy knowing they are safe while in the water.

At Zodiac Swim School, we offer several programs to help your toddler learn how to swim. We have group classes that focus on basic skill learning or offer our Tadpole program where you child can receive one on one personal training. Choose the option that will work best for your child so that they can begin on the path to learning more about water safety. You will feel better about your child being in and around water as they will have the skills needed to be safe in an aquatic environment.

Day camps for kids are a great way to keep children busy during the summer months. Day camps offer great programming, from swimming and basketball to arts and crafts. Your child is sure to love kids camp in Toronto, but what’s in it for you? Surprisingly, a lot! Parents can certainly benefit from enrolling kids in day camp. Read on to see how.

Alone Time

When you become a parent, alone time becomes a thing of the past. You learn to do a multitude of tasks simultaneously as you are constantly running after the kids. You never have a minute to yourself. By enrolling your kids in day camp, you are gifting yourself with a little bit of ‘Me’ time. Take this time to relax with a hot bath with no child yelling, MOM! Or go shopping by yourself. Enjoy time with a friend. The options are truly endless. While your kid is having fun at camp, you can be having a little fun of your own!

Watch Your Child Make Friends

There is nothing harder on a parent than watching a shy child have trouble making friends. At day camp, it is much easier to make friends as there are group activities and children can enjoy finding friends who have similar interests. You will benefit from summer day camp as your child learns how to make friends and you see them begin to build relationships with others.

Babysitting Help

Many day camps are offered for the entire day which can be helpful when you are a working parent. Camp drop off can coincide with your work schedule, making it easy for your kid to go to camp without it conflicting with your work day. Drop your child off at camp, head to work, then pick them up at the end of the day. You have completed your work tasks and your child is filled with stories about their day. It’s a win/win situation!

Life-Building Skills

While parents take on the caregiver and teacher role with their child, it can be difficult for some children to pick up skills from their parents. At camp, children can learn from a variety of sources, such as the counselors and other kids. While you might struggle teaching your child how to throw a baseball, a camp counselor can easily help. As your child attends summer camp, you can begin to see just how much they learn from others, including self-confidence, leadership skills, swimming, etc. Children often learn by copying others so by being around children their own age, your child will be able to learn new things that might have otherwise been unattainable.

At Zodiac Day Camp, we offer a stimulating environment within our day camps. We have programs for children of all ages so you can easily find an option for your child. Enrollment is simple and you will see your child having fun, making friends and learning new skills. In the meantime, you can enjoy a little time to yourself while your child is away at camp!

Enrolling your children in summer day camp means they will have access to quality programming, including swimming. Some day camps offer a swimming lessons for kids through their swim school, which is a great way to see your child become more familiar with the water and remain safe when swimming during the summer months. Swim lessons offers many benefits, not just swim safety but other pros as well. Learn more about the key benefits below.

Making Friends

When your child enrolls in swimming lessons, they will be placed with children their own age and ability. Even if your child is shy, the pool seems to get kids breaking out of their shell. Your child will have the opportunity to make new friends which can lead to better self-confidence as well as a happier child.

Learn Leadership Skills

By taking swimming lessons, your child may realize they have a knack for swimming. Over time, your child may show interest in pursuing leadership avenues within swimming. Once they reach the preteen stage, children can become certified in CPR as well as lifeguarding. This can lead to even greater water safety training as well as the ability to hold an employment position within summer day camps or other facilities.

Continued Enrollment

When you have kids, it is important to stay on schedule. By pre-registering for swimming classes each year, your child will be able to continue to learn new skills in water safety while staying on the same schedule. At Zodiac Swim School, registration can take place every season, with parents having the ability to register for the entire year. The benefit of this is that your schedule stays the same and children who attend Zodiac Day Camp enjoy a seamless transition with their lesson into the Summer which can be very helpful when you have multiple children in the household.

Improved Health

For your child to stay in shape and healthy, they need to be active. With today’s society focused on electronics and technology, it can be difficult to keep kids moving and on the go. With swimming lessons, your child is exercising but also having fun. To them, its play time rather than exercise. By having your child attend regular classes, you are providing them with an outlet to exercise which helps promote improved health.

Happiness

Another key benefit to swimming lessons is the happiness of your child. There are so many ways that your child can be happy when taking lessons. From making new friends to learning a new skill, you will begin to see your child’s face light up when they talk about swimming lessons. Help your child be happy and find joy in the water by signing up for swimming lessons today!

At Zodiac Swim School and Zodiac Day Camp, we offer quality swimming lessons so your child can have fun and be safe in the water. By contacting our office, you can learn about our swimming lesson programs and find an option for your child based on age and skill level.

Toronto summer camps are a great way to provide your child with something to do during the summer season. For children that are enrolled in school, summer camp is a great way to keep them busy once school is over. However, summer camps for kids are also a good teaching tool for smaller children. Toddlers who will eventually be enrolled in primary school can have fun at summer camp as well and use the opportunity as a way to prepare for a school day with scheduling and making friends. But how do you introduce summer camp to your toddler if they have never been away from home? Below are a few examples to help you prepare your small child for summer camp enrollment.

Talk About Summer Camp

In the months leading up to summer, talk to your child about summer day camp. Explain what they can expect, such as making friends, playing games, sports, etc. Start off by talking just a little about camp and then as the time draws near, find examples to share. Perhaps your child will be attending camp from 9 until 12. Start by talking about camp at 9am, stating this is when you will arrive, and continue to discuss what might take place until lunchtime, when you tell the child this is when you would pick them up. This gives them more of an idea of the time frame for camp as well as what to expect.

Visit the Facility

If you have the ability, visit the facility where camp will take place. They can see the facility and learn where activities take place as well as what to expect. By introducing the place where camp will be for your child, you are taking away one of the unknown factors. Many times, kids feel nervous or scared because a place is new to them. By introducing the camp to your child, they will know where the bathrooms are, their camp classrooms, etc.

Play Day Camp

Another great way to get your child excited about camp is to play pretend. Pick a day when you are not too busy and play like you are at day camp. You can be the counselor and your child will be the camper. By play acting, your child can have a better idea of what to expect from day camp. This is an excellent way to prepare your child and is also fun. Find out what activities camp will offer as well as the schedule so that you can come as close as you can to offering the same type of day. Your child will have a better understanding of camp and feel more comfortable being away from home.

At Zodiac Day Camp, we offer several day camp options, including camps for toddlers. Easily enroll your child for fun and excitement during the summer months. Contact our office today to find out more about how your toddler can enroll in summer camp.

When it comes to kids summer camps, there are many to choose from. Parents will find that summer camps are offered that focus on particular activities such as swimming or sports while others focus on arts and crafts. Finding the right camp is important so your child can enjoy the summer. Unfortunately, many kids miss out on summer camp in Toronto due to common myths about camp options and regulations. Read on below to learn more about five common myths and what to truly expect from summer camp.

It’s Too Late to Register

With summer quickly approaching, many parents feel that the deadline to register has passed. Never assume that registration is over. Kids can drop out last minute and spots open or registration is extended in order to fill the camp to capacity. In any case, be sure to contact the camp to see if any spots are open. You can even ask for your child to be considered first if a camper were to back out of registration. By contacting the camp directly, you know your options and can plan accordingly.

Camp is Expensive

Many parents feel that summer camp is just too expensive and not affordable. But this is not the case. Most camps are affordable for even the smallest budget, helping your child to attend summer camp, even if just for a half a day. Contact the camps you are interested in and find out about cost, if payment plans are offered or if there is a way to get a discount.

Busy Summer Months

While most parents think that summer is busy for day camp, August is actually a slow month. Parents can easily enroll kids during this month for summer camp or use it as an option for kids who are coming home from overnight camps. Children will be able to enjoy fun activities during the day and camp sizes are often smaller due to lower enrollment.

Only Older Kids Can Enroll

Contrary to popular belief, children of all ages can enroll in summer day camp. Depending on the camp provider, children usually have to be potty trained in order to take part. Look into what age groups are accepted by camp providers to see if your child qualifies. Starting your child off early will help them to become associated with camp and to make new friends.

Is Camp Safe?

Many parents worry about the safety of their child while away at camp. Summer day camps that are of the highest quality will hire only seasoned camp counselors, individuals who understand how to handle any situation, including individuals who are certified in CPR and other life-saving techniques. You can rest assured that camps such as those offered by Zodiac Day Camp provide counselors who are trained and can easily assist your child should an accident occur.

Contact our office today to see how Zodiac Day Camp can help your child have a fun and interesting summer. Camps are offered for all ages and include multiple activities insuring your child has an enjoyable time while away from home.